BAGHDAD: A French reporter released after being held for three weeks in Iraq will be free to leave in two days, when his case is closed after bail proceedings are finalized, a security official said yesterday.
Nadir Dendoune, who was detained in January for allegedly taking unauthorized photographs of security installations but freed earlier this month, is currently at the French embassy in Baghdad, the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Dendoune was arrested while reportedly visiting Iraq to compile a series of stories on the upcoming 10th anniversary of the US-led invasion of the country for French magazines Le Monde Diplomatique and Le Courier de l’Atlas.
Iraqi judicial sources claimed that Dendoune, who also holds Australian and Algerian passports, was arrested carrying a camera with which he took pictures of the Iraqi intelligence service headquarters, army and police.
Dendoune’s sister Houria told AFP from Paris, however, that her brother was arrested while taking pictures of a water treatment plant.
French reporter free to leave Iraq soon
French reporter free to leave Iraq soon
Palestinian deputy president discusses Gaza with Egyptian officials
- The discussion also centered on strategies for maintaining stability in the Palestinian territories
LONDON: Hussein Al-Sheikh, the deputy president of the Palestinian Authority, discussed security and diplomatic issues during separate meetings in Cairo with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Ati and Hassan Rashad, the Director of the Egyptian General Intelligence Service.
Al-Sheikh briefed Egyptian officials on the latest developments regarding the Palestinian issue, in the presence of Major General Majed Faraj, the head of the Palestinian General Intelligence Service.
The discussion on Sunday also centered on strategies for maintaining stability in the Palestinian territories and progressing to the second phase of US President Donald Trump's plan for Gaza, as reported by the Wafa news agency.
Officials also aimed to improve coordination and consultation to tackle the challenges facing Palestine and the wider region.
Al-Sheikh is poised to become the Palestinian president in the event of a power vacuum in the Palestinian Authority, currently led by 90-year-old Mahmoud Abbas.
